Raquel Seruca (1963 - 2022)

The Board of Directors of the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) expresses its deepest regret at the death of Raquel Seruca, deputy director of the Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology(Ipatimup) and a researcher in the field of gastric and colon cancer.

Researcher Raquel Seruca has collaborated with the FCT on numerous occasions, having participated in the evaluation processes for research Studentships applications, in the evaluation panels for R&D Unit funding reports, was a member of the Research Infrastructures Monitoring Committee set up in 2019, and was a jury member for the Pulido Valente Science Prize. She has participated in and developed more than 20 projects funded by FCT Calls , in most of which she was the lead researcher.

Raquel Seruca obtained her doctorate in Medicine from the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto and has been involved for several years in determining the frequency and type of CDH1 germline alterations in hereditary diffuse gastric cancer (HDGC), early pregnancy and familial diffuse gastric cancer, having established a national network of clinical assistance in screening families with HDGC criteria. She was a member of the scientific advisory board of the North American association No Stomach for Cancer, which supports families with gastric cancer.

In 2005, Raquel Seruca received the Stimulus to Excellence award from the FCT; in 2009, she was distinguished with the insignia of Grand Officer of the Order of Infante D. Henrique by the then President of the Republic, Cavaco Silva; she was awarded the Gold Medal for Scientific Merit by the Porto City Council in 2014; and she was awarded the Labmed prize twice (2002 and 2003) and the Benjamin Castelman USCAP prize twice (2001 and 2012).

The FCT Board of Directors sends its heartfelt condolences to his family and friends, and to the entire Ipatimup and i3S team, at this difficult time.

Photo courtesy of i3S